or try to talk your local game store into slipping you a copy early. that works for us on many occasions!

Do note that they can be fired for this if another employee sees, or a manager finds that the game has been run through a computer for sale. Many companies have people that work with retailers to punish people who break the street date.

Not busting your chops or anything, the customer can't directly get into any trouble, and if an employee is willing to bend/break the rules for you, go right on ahead.

I think generally, most people will be playing early with the pirate release. As for getting an early copy of the retail game, that will only happen if you are either good friends with the store staff memeber, or you pay him a REALLY good tip